SKA punk-rock band Backwash will be celebrating the launch of their debut mini-album with a special event in Worcester on Sunday, June 5.

What a Difference Two Years Makes is released on Monday, June 6, and follows hot on the heels of the band touring the length and breadth of the country, supporting acts such as The Damned and Stiff Little Fingers.

The Worcester group formed at school a few years ago, brought together by their love of punk-rock and they blend together everything from hardcore to punk and ska to create their own individual sound.

And they will be at Face The Music in Worcester's Cathedral Plaza between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Sunday, June 5, for a special acoustic performance of tracks from the new seven-piece release.

People will be able to buy the CD for the first time a day before its release at a special price of £5.99 and there will also be a whole host of freebies up for grabs.

ARE YOU HOOKED?

THE chances are that if You're In Love With a Beautiful Woman, you'll be heading for Worcester's Huntingdon Hall next week for a gig by Dennis Locorriere.

The accomplished musician is best known as the lead singer with Dr Hook, whose September 1979 number one hit When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman was one of their trademark tunes.

The band has more than 60 Gold and Platinum albums and number one chart records in more than 42 different countries.

Dennis's Worcester appearance - on Saturday, June 4 - is as part of a 44-date nationwide tour promoting his second solo album, One of The Lucky Ones.

The multi-talented performer has had his songs recorded by artists such as Bob Dylan and Olivia Newton-John - and has even appeared in a movie with Dustin Hoffman and starred in an acclaimed one-man play written especially for him.

And fans both old and new will not be disappointed though as the American-born singer belts out fresh numbers alongside Dr Hook classics such as Sylvia's Mother, The Ballad of Lucy Jordan and A Little Bit More.

TIPPED FROM THE TOP

WITH a list of celebrity fans which include Morrissey and the bands Franz Ferdinand and The Offspring, Goldblade come hotly tipped.

Music fans in Worcester will be able to form their own opinion on the rock and roll band who have toured with The Stranglers and The Damned when they come to the city's Marr's Bar on Thursday, June 9, for a gig.

The group are on the verge of releasing their fourth album and have toured worldwide on the back of their last release - Do You Believe In The Power of Rock 'n' Roll?

Their adrenaline-packed shows have earnt them a mass following on the punk-rock circuit and they will be ably supported for the gig by London-based Anglo Swedish band The Buck Brothers and four-piece pop/rock group Arrival. Tickets are £5 in advance or £7 on the door.

get intimate with trio

A TRIO of musicians will be taking to the stage at The Lamb in West Malvern on Saturday, June 4 for an intimate concert.

John Williams is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays everything from the concertina and melodion to the fiddle and both he and guitarist Alan Courtney used to play in the band Hodge's Dump.

They will be joined on stage by fellow Malvern musician Jackie Gribble, described as the small singer with the big voice.

Collectively they have played in soul, pop, rock, blues, folk and jazz bands and they will be singing a host of songs in those styles at Saturday's free concert.

the funky five-piece

A FUNKY Friday is on the cards for revellers at Worcester's Marr's Bar tonight as the band The Indivisibles come to the city.

The five-piece group bring styles from across the musical spectrum with a mish-mash of jazz, hip-hop and rock and are renowned for their high-energy live performances.

Support act Rachael By The Stream, with their relaxed heartfelt brand of song-writing, shimmering vocals and Joni Mitchell-esque acoustic guitar.

Tickets for the gig are £4 in advance or £5 on the door.